To Preserve Early Memories
We sometimes doubt when people tell us of things which happen when they were five years old. Children that are eight or nine can often tell of things that took place when they were two or three. Almost without exception you will find that these memories are eye impressions—pictures. Have the child review those which you wish him to retain and he will preserve the memory of them.
It is often the case that children have advantages of travel and see many things that older people have not. Many of these advantages, however, are wasted because the child does not review these interesting things which he has seen. Children are seldom interested in remembering. Parents should preserve the child's memory of important sights and circumstances by asking him to carefully revisualize the scene—to see it again in the mind's eye. Thus can the impression be deepened and the child's memory and appreciation of the thing be made to continue throughout his life.
Especially all unusual scenes which he may not have the opportunity of seeing again for a long time should be visually reviewed a couple of times during the first week and a number of times during the following month. Two children had been camping in the north, where they one evening saw a particularly brilliant display of Northern Lights. A few months after this the children were asked, "What are the Northern Lights? What do they look like?" The younger one had forgotten, but the older one could describe them. When the two had thoroughly reviewed the picture they had re-impressed it upon their minds. By doing this a few times the children were able to permanently retain this memory.